Coronavirus

3/11/2020 (Permalink)

We are Here to Help

Across the nation and the world as a whole, coronavirus is the top headline as everyone tries to comprehend the situation.

Experts are saying the virus seems to be hardest on the elderly and health-compromised populations, while children and young people are not affected as seriously. However, it is important we all do our part to help stop the spread of this illness.

 Because the situation is changing rapidly, it is important to continue referring to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the most up-to-date information related to the response; For internal news and information, SERVPRO headquarters will continue to update their Franchises through a Coronavirus Resource Page as more guidelines become available. Intensive research is being done, and SERVPRO will pass that information along as they receive updates to their franchise.

About

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring an outbreak of respiratory illness caused by a novel (new) coronavirus (named “COVID-19”) that was first detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, and spread to dozens of countries throughout the world. 

Franchise Bioremediation/Cleaning Related to Coronavirus 

As the disease continues to spread, it is very possible you may be contacting SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County regarding COVID-19 or supporting/cleaning where COVID-19 is suspected. It is imperative that if SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County is engaging in or considering work involving COVID-19 they will  first contact SERVPRO Headquarters prior to accepting the job. SERVPRO Headquarters will provide support to safely perform work that involves COVID-19. Any work performed involving CODVID-19 will also be supported by a protocol/scope provided by the applicable local/state/federal health agency.

The following information is provided regarding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) disinfectant use for COVID-19:

Currently there are no disinfectants that have been tested specifically for this particular emerging viral pathogen. The CDC is recommending a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar type organisms to COVID-19.

SERVPRO does offer a product that meets the CDC requirements for cleaning similar viruses and pathogens.

Most importantly all SERVPRO teammates will, maintain extra vigilant personal hygiene and safety precautions. As always, it is important to follow these best practices:

• Frequently wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When soap and running water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Stay home when you have a fever or present a risk of spreading illness to others.
• Maintain a proper social distance between people (3 feet).

Shaking hands and other forms of social greeting that creates contact with other people is discouraged during this period.

If you are in need of Bioremediation/Cleaning services call SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County at 847-516-1600.

Source

CDC.gov

EPA.gov

What items are salvageable from blood contamination

1/13/2020 (Permalink)

It happens, someone we know has been involved in a gun, knife or other sharp item incident. Whether it happens to be a kitchen accident or an accidental discharge on a firearm, SERVPRO knows how to handle any situation.

There are many items that can be cleaned by a professional that had previous blood contamination. Here is a short list of what cannot be saved:

Some Electronics – Depending on the type and how far the contamination went down into the item will come into play. You cannot wipe off just the outside and say it is good to go. If blood falls between the vents of the item there is a chance it could land on a circuit board and cause a short at minimum or Cause a fire. This is a very serious issue that should be handled by a professional.

Soft Goods/Certain Textiles – Some can be cleaned depending on the material make, age and contamination level. Certain items like pillows or stuffed animals will need to be dissembled, filling removed, exterior cleaned and put back together with clean materials.

Engineered Wood/ Press wood - Any wood item that has been modified where contamination has come in contact with an unfinished surface cannot be cleaned. This is due to the many cavities that pressboard and engineered wood have. Natural/Solid wood can be treated and sanded to remove the affected areas, then re-stained to match existing colors.

Carpet/Pad – If at any time there is blood contamination that has soaked through to the carpet or pad the area must be removed! There is no way to guarantee that the carpet and pad are fully decontaminated.

Hoarding Cleanup with Biohazard Contaminants in Algonquin/Lake In The Hills

1/10/2020 (Permalink)

Garbage in Hoarder House

Do you know someone in your life that may be a hoarder?

We are often called to clean and restore properties with hoarding conditions after a water, fire, or mold damage.  Many hoarding situations require biohazard or specialized bloodborne pathogen cleanup, depending on the items being hoarded.  No matter the situation, our team has the experience to handle different hoarding situations, even before a damage has occurred.

Hoarding can create cramped living conditions and fill a home to its capacity.  Often, only narrow pathways are available to move from room to room, and the number of items prevents the use of normal living space.  Accumulation can be in every room of the house and may spread to the garage, vehicles, and yard.

Hazards associated with hoarding include:

• A fire hazard due to blocked exits and excessive smoke
• Unsanitary conditions that pose a risk to health
• Injury or being trapped by shifting or falling items
• Relationship conflicts, including loneliness and social isolation
• Financial problems
• Legal issues such as eviction

SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County offers hoarding cleanup, including situations with bloodborne pathogens.  We are a full-service cleanup and restoration company. We can:

• Inventory, sort, and pack items of value
• If needed, kept items will be transported to our facility for storage
• Gather and dispose of items that require being thrown away
• Identification and cleanup of hazardous contaminants
• Deep clean of the entire home, including the garage and yard
• If any part of the property is permanently damaged, our reconstruction team will rebuild it.
• If requested, we can provide our services in unmarked vehicles for your privacy.

When hoarding begins to seriously affect the daily life of your friend or loved one, we’re to help.   SERVPRO of Southern McHenry has over 19-years of experience remediating water, fire, and mold damage.  We service Southern McHenry County and all surrounding Algonquin and Lake in the Hills communities.  We can be reached 24/7 at 847-516-1600.  

“Like it never even happened.” only happens here.

Resources:

Mayo Clinic

NFPA National Fire Prevention Association

Commercial or Residential Biohazard Cleanup In Southern McHenry County -- Rely On SERVPRO’s Specialists

12/4/2019 (Permalink)

Biohazardous Cleanup in Southern McHenry County Commercial or Residential Settings Gets Handled by SERVPRO

SERVPRO Offers Safe and Clean Biohazardous Removal from Southern McHenry County Area

Even if you employ high-quality in-house or contracted cleaning services, your Southern McHenry County business needs specialized biohazard cleanup help from a certified firm in some circumstances. When an accident, emergency, crime, or tragedy strikes in your commercial space or home residents dangerous substances and residues complicate cleanup. We can help.

A typical example of Southern McHenry area commercial jobs that require professional biohazard cleanup includes sewage backup or flooding that allows contaminated water to enter one or more areas of your business property. The contaminants contained in sewage are many -- human and animal waste, fertilizer and road chemical runoff, insects and vermin, and rotten food and other waste are just a few. Our crews receive baseline and updated training on how to manage these biohazards safely and effectively. 
 
Human or animal fluids and waste deposited through other means such as traumatic injury or violent crime on your premises also needs our expert attention. The viruses, bacteria, parasites, and other pathogens involved in blood and other secretions need to be managed using protocols developed by OSHA, the EPA, and local health authorities. Proper cleaning with registered disinfectants is key to restoring your workplace, and SERVPRO has the experience with biohazards and innovative commercial cleaning products to achieve the goals. 
 
Your business or home may also suffer from a chemical spill or other spread of a biohazard. The often is a complication of a flooding scenario where your own inventory or cleaning and maintenance products are knocked over or soaked through, contributing to the dangers in the waters contained in your building. SERVPRO contains such contaminated water, ensure that it is disposed of properly to keep you, your employees and customers, and the general public safe from harm. 
 
During these unique catastrophic events, it is critical that your biohazard cleanup company be not only professional and effective but also completely discreet. Our team can return your business or home to a safe and healthy condition, “Like it never even happened.” For you to retain the confidence of your employees and customers, the process must be transparent yet ethical and without unnecessary drama or scare tactics. 
 
SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County is a full-service restoration company, poised to assist with your biohazard cleanup needs. Contact us at 847-516-1600 for fast and confidential help.

Southern McHenry County, Removal of Blood and Other Biohazards

9/9/2019 (Permalink)

Bio Hazard Danger

Rely on SERVPRO for Safe Biohazard Removal from Your Southern McHenry County Property

Blood, bodily fluids, and other McHenry County biohazards can endanger anyone who comes in contact with them. Even trace amounts so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye can pose serious health risks. When a site in your home or business has been contaminated, how do you make it safe again? Rely on the professionals at SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County for top-notch biohazard cleanup and restoration services.

Avoiding Health Risks

Is it necessary to seek professional assistance in cleaning up a location impacted by crime, trauma or death? With the risks posed by blood-borne pathogens and dangerous communicable diseases, cleaning a scene contaminated with biohazards like blood is a perilous undertaking for anyone who lacks the proper training and equipment. It is unpleasant to think about, but blood and bodily fluids are prone to splattering so that minute amounts can affect a wide area. The air at these scenes can be hazardous since small particles can become airborne if dried material is disturbed. Anything removed from the scene must also be disposed of properly to avoid spreading the contamination. Besides, you cannot assume the area is safe again just because the visible traces have been removed. If a space contaminated with blood or other biohazards is not appropriately cleaned, sanitized and restored, these unseen hazards can linger, posing a threat to anyone who enters it. Ultimately, the best way to make sure that a place is once again safe is to use a professional organization like SERVPRO that is experienced in biohazard restoration.

Preventing Legal Repercussions

As if the health risks created by biohazards are not dire enough, failure to have a contaminated space properly cleaned can also have serious legal consequences. The responsibility for cleaning up after a crime, trauma or death falls on the Southern McHenry County property owner, and there are regulations and laws regarding how biohazards are handled that must be followed. These rules are designed to safeguard everyone, and ignorance is not considered an acceptable excuse for disregarding them. Individuals and businesses that do not follow these rules may find themselves facing hefty fines. They might even be held liable if someone else is injured by their actions. Using a professional team that understands what is required to comply with the various rules and regulations governing biohazards in your area can shield you from both health risks and legal issues.

Focusing on Your Safety

At SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County, we are committed to the well-being of our customers. Offering emergency services 24 hours a day, we will rapidly respond whenever you request our assistance. Our technicians follow the protocols established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), so you can be confident that they have the expertise and training to remove all biohazards and dispose of them properly. We use specialized equipment that allows us to detect the presence of even a minute trace of a biohazard, and we do not stop until your scene is thoroughly sanitized. As biohazard restoration professionals, we can often salvage items that others might have to discard, and we ensure that any material that does need to be removed from your location is disposed of appropriately.

Dealing with a crime, trauma or death is undoubtedly difficult, but you can depend on SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County for courtesy, empathy, and the quality biohazard cleanup and restoration services that you need. Safety-minded, we are ready to do our part in restoring your space and your peace of mind. If a traumatic event has occurred on your property and you require assistance with the cleanup, contact us now to discover more about our Southern McHenry County biohazard restoration services and secure our help.

24 Hour Emergency Service

We are available 24 hours a day—our highly trained technicians are standing by. We will always treat your property in Southern McHenry County with the greatest empathy and respect in the face of trying circumstances. We are here. (847)516-1600.

Bloodborne Pathogens Training

9/2/2019 (Permalink)

Bio-Hazard Waste Must Be Disposed of Properly

SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County does a training for their employees on Bloodborne Pathogens. Here is a little knowledge and information for you.

Bloodborne Pathogens are bacteria, viruses or diseases that are transmitted by contact with human blood and other potentially infectious materials (such as semen, vaginal secretions, amniotic fluid, etc.) from infected person to another person. Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Human Immune-deficiency Virus (HIV) are three of the most widely known bloodborne pathogens.

Urine, feces, vomitus, and saliva are not known to transmit bloodborne pathogens unless they contain visible blood.

You cannot tell by looking at someone if he/she is infected; therefore all employees should be trained on how to safely clean up a spill of potentially infectious materials using "Universal Precautions", which treat all bodily fluids as if they were infectious. Doing so ensures that no one is exposed during clean-up.

Unless you have attended a Bloodborne Pathogens Training class, DO NOT touch or attempt to clean-up:

* Human Blood

* Needles and Syringes

* Any bodily fluid mixed with visible blood.

Please never try to clean up or take care of any Bloodborne Pathogens unless you are properly trained. SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County is properly trained and has the right PPE to do the job. SERVPRO is here 24/7, (847) 516-1600.

 "Liked it never even happened."

We Cleanup Biohazards

8/5/2019 (Permalink)

Cleanup of Biohazards

We Cleanup Biohazards

Exposure to biological and chemical contaminants can pose serious health consequences. A failure to properly remove such substances can contribute to unhealthy and dangerous environments. SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County is trained to safely remove biohazards and dispose of them properly in accordance with OSHA and health regulations.

Equipped with the necessary safety apparatus and cleaning products, we can help transform these unhealthy environments back into clean, safe homes and offices.

Common Biohazard Encounters

Sewage Backups – Sewage backups and dark water intrusions are more than nasty, smelly deposits – these damages also introduce harmful microorganisms into a structure. We remove the sewage, contaminants, and moisture, and help ensure the structure is properly cleaned, disinfected, and deodorized.

Bloodborne Pathogens – We remove and dispose of bodily fluids, tissue and other potentially pathogenic substances resulting from accident, trauma, crime or death. Trained SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County Professionals clean, disinfect and deodorize the structure.

Crime Scene Residues – From fingerprint powder and evidence-gathering chemicals to tear gas and pepper spray residues, SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County professionals can clean and restore your property and contents.

Arson and Vandalism – From fingerprint powder and evidence-gathering chemicals to tear gas and pepper spray residues, SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County professionals can clean and restore your property and contents

Hoarding Cleanup with Biohazard Contaminants in Algonquin/Lake In The Hills

9/10/2018 (Permalink)

Hoarding Cleanup with Biohazard

Do you know someone in your life that may be a hoarder?

We are often called to clean and restore properties with hoarding conditions after a water, fire, or mold damage.  Many hoarding situations require biohazard or specialized bloodborne pathogen cleanup, depending on the items being hoarded.  No matter the situation, our team has the experience to handle different hoarding situations, even before a damage has occurred.

Hoarding can create cramped living conditions and fill a home to its capacity.  Often, only narrow pathways are available to move from room to room, and the number of items prevents the use of normal living space.  Accumulation can be in every room of the house and may spread to the garage, vehicles, and yard.

Hazards associated with hoarding include:

• A fire hazard due to blocked exits and excessive smoke
• Unsanitary conditions that pose a risk to health
• Injury or being trapped by shifting or falling items
• Relationship conflicts, including loneliness and social isolation
• Financial problems
• Legal issues such as eviction

SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County offers hoarding cleanup, including situations with bloodborne pathogens.  We are a full-service cleanup and restoration company. We can:

• Inventory, sort, and pack items of value
• If needed, kept items will be transported to our facility for storage
• Gather and dispose of items that require being thrown away
• Identification and cleanup of hazardous contaminants
• Deep clean of the entire home, including the garage and yard
• If any part of the property is permanently damaged, our reconstruction team will rebuild it.
• If requested, we can provide our services in unmarked vehicles for your privacy.

When hoarding begins to seriously affect the daily life of your friend or loved one, we’re to help.   SERVPRO of Southern McHenry has over 17-years of experience remediating water, fire, and mold damage.  We service Southern McHenry County and all surrounding Algonquin and Lake In The Hills communities.  We can be reached 24/7 at 847-5161600.  

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 “Like it never even happened.” only happens here.

Resources:

Mayo Clinic

NFPA National Fire Prevention Association

today.com

Residential Biohazard Cleanup

8/5/2018 (Permalink)

Fully suited up and Ready for Whatever Happens

SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County is fully trained and specialized in the cleaning and disposal of biohazard contents and affected materials. 

When it comes to a biohazard situation, protection is the name of the game. Protection for our employees, protection for the home or business owner and protection of the environment during the disposal process. We never know what type of call we might get so our crews are always ready with Tyvek suits, industrial-grade gloves and full face respirators.

This Cary resident knew to call the experts at SERVPRO of Southern McHenry who would be able to properly clean his home with chemicals that cannot be purchased in your local hardware store. We were able to restore his home back to it's original state and make it "Like it never even happened."

Biohazard Cleanup Requires The Right Company

7/25/2017 (Permalink)

At a Crime Scene Cleanup

Bio-hazard cleanups require highly specialized cleaning company that provides bio-hazardous, blood cleanup services for people involved in accidental or trauma scene situations. Employees should be professionals highly trained in biohazard cleaning that will safely and discreetly remedy any blood scene involving biohazardous or infectious wastes and dispose of it properly. Biohazards such as: blood, bodily fluids, and tissues are contained, removed and all surfaces disinfected to provide a clean and safe environment.

Homeowners, property managers, co-workers, families and friends should find from emotional trauma and physical hazards associated with cleaning a bio-hazardous scene. We advise that family, friends, and co-workers should not try to cleanup a bio-hazard scene due to the potential bloodborne pathogen dangers and the emotional pain associated with the victims. We provide strict privacy for any biohazard cleanup at a trauma scene.

We work with all insurance companies if insurance is used.

Call SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County 847-516-1600 when the emergency occurs.

We are an IICRC Certified Firm

7/12/2017 (Permalink)

Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm.

SERVPRO of Southern McHenry County is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.

• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.

• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.

• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.

• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.